Well another summer is winding down and the fall season is on its way. That means one thing for many - its Oktoberfest time!

Oktoberfest originated back in the fall of 1810 when Prince Ludwig I married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. The German townspeople were allowed to celebrate their marriage which took place the third week of September. Since that time it has become a yearly celebration and eventually became known as Oktoberfest.

The tradition of Oktoberfest can be found in many towns throughout the world as German culture and heritage is celebrated. Whether you are German or not, you will enjoy the food, music and fun events.

In Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, Oktoberfest includes a lot of German food, a variety of polka bands, and polka dancers all dressed in colorful costumes. On Sunday of that weekend, a polka mass will be available to churchgoers.

If youíre feeling brave, you can enter one of the sauerkraut eating contests and see how you do. Otherwise, just enjoy it on a brat.

With the Leinenkugel Brewery deeply rooted in the backyard of Chippewa Falls, it is fitting that they created a beer for this event and called it Oktoberfest. They will have other types of beers available throughout the event too.

In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, their Oktoberfest celebration takes place during the first three weekends in September with plenty of German food, dancers, homemade cakes, and music by German brass bands.

Another town hosting Oktoberfest is Appleton, Wisconsin. During the third week of September everything German will be at available Ė food, music, a craft fair, and a car show featuring hundreds of older cars, pre-1980.

In New Ulm, Minnesota, Oktoberfest will be held during the first and second weekends in October. You will hear lots of German music and enjoy the food in downtown area.

In Saint Paul, Minnesota, Oktoberfest will be held the first weekend of October. In addition to German food and music, they will have dachshund races, bed races, and a re-enactment of the 1810 Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxon-Hildburghausen wedding.

No matter which Oktoberfest you attend, there will be plenty of German food. Enjoy the basics such as brats and sauerkraut or try shweinshaxe (pork shank), strudel, currywurst, (pork sausage covered with curry sauce), rouladen (thinly sliced beef wrapped around bacon, onions, mustard and pickles), and spanferkel (roasted pig).

So whether itís the music or the food that draws you to Oktoberfest get your dancing shoes ready and have an appetite for everything German at this fall event!